India-Japan Deal: Free Shinkansen Trains, E10 Bullet Trains to Power Mumbai-Ahmedabad Rail by 2030s

India, Japan to Launch E10 Series Shinkansen on Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Link

The Indian and Japanese governments are set to adopt Japan’s future-generation E10 series Shinkansen in early 2030s for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.

The high-speed rail line will run approximately 500 kilometers through western India, with the aim of reducing travel time between the two cities by a considerable margin.

The E10 trains, though, will not arrive on time for the partial launch of the project in August 2027.

India will make do with Japan-modified freight trains imported from Japan temporarily to achieve this time.

Japan will also donate E5 freight Shinkansen and E3 Shinkansen trains to kick-start services and sell Japanese technology to India.

These trains will assist in keeping Japan’s technological presence within the project, which is of strategic importance to the Japanese government.

The E10 inspection trains of Japan will also capture data on dust and high-temperature conditions, facilitating future E10 production in India.

India initially intended to utilize the E5 trains solely, but increased costs and delivery delays prompted interest in using Indian-made alternatives.

To break the deadlock, Japan offered a fresh package—free trains and eventual delivery of the E10 series—in late 2024 talks.

India has accepted the offer in principle, which is a breakthrough for the ambitious rail project.

Japan will fund about 80% of the project through low-interest yen loans, initially estimated at approximately ¥1.8 trillion.

With the costs now set to increase, the two governments are planning a new loan facility to finance the E10 train deployment.

The new agreement is planned to be completed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Japan soon.

Japan had earlier backed the bullet train project of Taiwan by gifting a first-generation Shinkansen train for test runs and safety inspection.